--- Teresa Muñoz, UCPCO member

Since 1991, The Unión de Cooperativas Productoras de Café Orgánico (UCPCO), has sought markets that paid fair prices for its coffee. Before the creation of the coop, the communities of UCPCO lacked many basic services such as access to clean drinking water, schools, and adequate roads.

Following a difficult start and arduous work, the co-op has achieved the ability to directly export. Being Fair Trade certified by Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) in 1994 further increased the benefits of just market access. The co-op has found their collective organization and Fair Trade certification to be instrumental
in acquiring developmental funds from the municipal government.

The Fair Trade price has enabled Unión de Cooperativas Productores de Café Orgánico to establish various social and productive programs

Education.
UCPCO provides school supplies and scholarships (covering half of tuition) to underprivileged children in San Juan del Rio Coco. The co-op also supports local youth sports programs.

Productive Investment.
Infrastructure development. Along with helping to purchase organic materials for production, the co-op is in the process of building new offices. Other improvements include the enlargement of the patios for drying coffee, and cellars for storage.

Credit Program.
UCPCO has created women’s groups to encourage savings and investment in micro-enterprise.

Health.
The co-op coordinates with the Department of Health to allocate aid money, state money and money from their own medical fund to healthcare in the region.

Womens Programs.
UCPCO supports rural woman by developing productive projects, such as birds farms, so women have alternative economic activities.